Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Risky Behaviors

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This article ( written by AAA) is important for all of us to read and take steps to change our behaviors if necessary.

Risky BehaviorsAbout 87 percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while behind the wheel within the past month, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.  These disturbing results come as nearly 33,000 Americans died in car crashes in 2014, and preliminary estimates project a 9 percent increase in deaths for 2015.

  • “The vast majority of motorists believe they are more careful than others on the road,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “though most of them are not making safe decisions while behind the wheel.”

Common unsafe behaviors include:

  • DISTRACTED DRIVING – More than two in five drivers (42%) admitted to reading a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days, while 12% reported doing this fairly often or regularly.  Nearly one in three drivers (32%) admitted to typing or sending a text or email over the past month, while 8% said they did so fairly often or regularly.  Distracted driving related to 3,000 deaths in 2014 and increased by 9% in 2015.
  • SPEEDING – About 45% of drivers reported going 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street in the past 30 days, and 11% admitted doing so fairly often or regularly.  Speeding related to 10,000 deaths in 2014.
  • DROWSY DRIVING – Nearly one in three drivers (32%) said they drove when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open in the past 30 days.  Drowsy driving related to 6,400 deaths in 2014.
  • RED-LIGHT RUNNING – More than one in three drivers (39%) admitted to having driven through a light that had just turned red when they could have stopped safely during the past 30 days.  Red-light running related to 697 deaths and 127,000 injuries in one year.
  • SEAT BELTS – Nearly one in five drivers (18%) reported driving without a seat belt within the past 30 days.  50% of all vehicle occupants who died in a crash in 2013 were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
  • IMPAIRED DRIVING – More than one in eight motorists ( 13%) reported driving when their alcohol level might have been near or over the legal limit within the past 12 months.  Impaired driving related to 10,000 deaths in 2014

The AAA Foundations annual Traffic Safety Culture Index identifies attitudes and behaviors related to driver safety, the survey data cited here came from a sample of 2,442 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days.

Broken Timing Belt

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Broken Timing BeltQuestion:

My friend had a broken timing belt and it was very expensive to repair his engine.  What can I do to avoid a broken timing belt?

Express Car Care Answer:

Well, a broken timing belt can lead to one of the most expensive engine repairs Denver drivers will ever face.  The good news is that replacing your timing belt on its recommended schedule can help avoid those problems.  Here’s a brief overview of what the timing belt does:  Air is drawn into the cylinder of the engine through the intake valves.  After the air and fuel mixture is burned, it’s pushed out through the exhaust valves.  The timing belt, which is driven by the engine, turns the camshafts, that control when the intake and exhaust valves open and close.  It is the opening and closing of the valves that takes place at exactly the right time for the engine to run properly.

Beyond that, on some vehicle engines, the valves actually extend into the combustion chamber far enough that they can be hit by the piston as it moves up and down in the cylinder.  When everything is timed just right – no problem.  When the timing is off, the piston will slam into the valves and cause big damage for drivers.

The timing belt makes sure everything is timed just right.  However, the belt does have a useful life.  Beyond that it can brake or slip – and that’s when the damage can be done.  If your vehicle has a timing belt (some have metal timing chains) it will have a recommended interval for replacing it.  Be sure to check your owner’s manual or with your Express Car Care service adviser to make sure you know when your timing belt needs to be replaced…there is a lot at stake.

Getting to the timing belt requires a lot of labor, so service costs are higher, but it is certainly less than repairing a damaged engine.  If your timing belt drives your water pump, change them both at the same time to save labor costs.  Ask your Express Car Care service adviser when your timing belt should be changed and get an estimate for what it will cost, so you can budget for this service.

Severe Service Schedule

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Severe Service ScheduleSome of our customers at Express Car Care are surprised to learn that there are actually two service schedules for their vehicles.  One is the regular schedule and the other is the severe service schedule.

Let’s look at what the manufacturers say constitutes severe driving conditions, and let you draw your own conclusions:

  • Most of your trips are less than four miles
  • Most of your trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing
  • The engine is at low speed most of the time – not on the highway
  • You operate your vehicle in dusty areas
  • You regularly tow a trailer, carry heavy loads or a car-top carrier
  • Stop and go driving
  • Driving in very hot or very cold weather

So you can see that a lot has to do with how you drive, but some has to do with where you drive.  Some areas of the country will be more or less severe than it is here in Denver.

For many, normal driving includes elements of severe service driving.  So how do you know?  Picture a line with “regular” on one end and “severe” on the other, and make a judgment on where you fall.

If your regular oil change recommendation is 5,000 miles and the severe service recommendation is 3,000 -when should you change your oil?  For some, it’s closer to 3,000 miles.  For others, it’s closer to 5,000 miles.  Your service adviser will be happy to have this discussion with you and help you sort it out.

If you drive where the air is dusty or polluted, fluids will become contaminated and filters will get dirtier more quickly.

So make an honest evaluation of your driving conditions in and around Denver.  You’ve made the commitment to take care of your vehicles, so it only makes sense to follow the right schedule.

Give us a call for advice for your car based on our local Denver driving conditions.

 

Improve Fuel Economy

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Improve Fuel EconomyLet’s review some things that Denver residents can do to improve fuel economy.  Bottom line – the better you maintain your vehicle, the less fuel you will use.  It all adds up in a big way.  For example, replacing your dirty engine air filter will pay for itself in fuel savings before your next oil change – and will keep saving you money after that.

A clean, well-maintained fuel system really pays big dividends for budget conscious Denver residents.  A clogged fuel filter wastes gas.  So does a dirty fuel system, grimy fuel injectors and plugged up PCV valves.  A fuel system service decreases the gas you use, and increases the power – so you can’t go wrong.

Some of us might ignore our check engine light.  But fixing the problem that caused the light to come on will usually improve fuel economy as well.

It may simply be time for a tune-up.  Tune-ups should improve your fuel economy as well as keeping your vehicle in good running condition.  Don’t overlook the routine maintenance items, like scheduled oil changes, transmission and cooling system service.  Dirty or low fluids actually use more fuel.  Just look at your recommended service intervals in the owner’s manual, or ask your helpful Express Car Care service adviser for the schedule.

Don’t overlook your tires.  Under-inflated tires waste gas because they don’t roll easily and cause the engine to use more fuel to turn them.

Check your gas cap to make sure it isn’t worn or doesn’t leak.

None of these things are very complicated or expensive and when you maintain your vehicle properly, you will improve fuel economy today and prevent repairs tomorrow.

Alternator Replacement

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Alternator ReplacementSome drivers have probably noticed a bunch of warning lights on their dash when they start their engine.  They flash on to test the circuits and then go off if everything’s OK.  One of the warning lights looks like a car battery.  Its job is to tell you if your vehicle’s battery isn’t charging properly.

Most motorists probably know that their battery stores electricity – enough to start the engine and get moving.  but that’s about it – you can only get a few miles on battery power alone.  You need an alternator to generate enough electricity to run your vehicle’s engine and power your electrical accessories, like the stereo, power seats, heater fan, on-board computers, and so on.  On top of that, the alternator needs to recharge your battery.  So when your alternator isn’t working, there isn’t going to be enough electricity for all of those things.  When your alternator fails, you aren’t going very far.

So why would your alternator not work?  Usually they’ve simple worn out.  Alternators are driven by your serpentine belt and spin 2 to 3 times faster than the engine – that’s a lot of work.  The bearings wear out, as do the copper wire coils and magnets that generate the electricity.

There’s no sense in hobbling along with an alternator that’s not working properly.  It will fail at some point and leave you stranded, then you’ll be wishing you would’ve had an alternator replacement sooner.  You need to get a bad alternator replaced as soon as you possible.  When you come to Express Car Care for an alternator replacement, someone knowledgeable will install an alternator that meets your specifications.  Some drivers use a lot of additional electrical products in their vehicles, like computers and DVD players.  Others may regularly tow a camping trailer that is putting extra pressure on its battery as they drive.  If that sounds like you, you’ll need to think about upgrading to a more heavy duty alternator.  Come in and let us help you figure it out.

Reality Check on Car-Care Myths

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Reality Check on Car-Care Myths“The truth is always the truth, even if no one believes it.”  This couldn’t be more true when it comes to car care.  It’s time for a little reality check on car care myths.  Here are some myths that can do more harm than good.

  • Myth:  If the brake fluid is low, topping it off will fix the problem.
  • Reality:  As brake pads wear, the level in the brake-fluid reservoir drops a bit.  That helps you monitor brake wear.  If the fluid level drops to or below the Low mark on the reservoir, then either your brakes are worn out or fluid is leaking.  Either way, get the brake system serviced immediately.  You should also get a routine brake inspection when you rotate the tires, about every 6,000 to 7,000 miles.
  • Myth:  If regular-grade fuel is good, premium must be better.
  • Reality:  Most vehicles run just fine on regular-grade fuel.  Using premium in these cars won’t hurt, but it won’t improve performance, either.  A higher-octane number simply means that the fuel is less prone to pre-ignition problems, so it’s often specified for hotter running, high-compression engines.  So if your car is designed for 87-octane fuel, don’t waste money on premium.
  • Myth:  Flush the coolant with every oil change.
  • Reality:  Radiator coolant doesn’t need to be replaced that often.  Most owner’s manuals recommend changing the coolant every five years or 60,000 miles.  Of course, if the level in the coolant reservoir is chronically low, check for a leak and get service as soon as possible.
  • Myth:  After a jump-start, your car will soon recharge the battery.
  • Reality:  It could take hours of driving to restore a battery’s full charge, especially in the winter.  That’s because power accessories, such as heated seats, draw so much electricity that in some cars the alternator has little left over to recharge a run-down battery.   A “load test” at a service station can determine whether the battery can still hold a charge.  If so, some hours on a battery charger might be needed to revive the battery to its full potential.
  • Myth:  Let your engine warm up for several minutes before driving.
  • Reality:  That might have been good advice for yesteryear’s cars but is less so today.  Modern engines warm up more quickly when they’re driven.  And the sooner they warm up, the sooner they reach maximum efficiency and deliver the best fuel economy and performance.  But don’t rev the engine high over the first few miles while it’s warming up.
  • Myth:  A dealership must perform regular maintenance to keep your car’s factory warranty valid.
  • Reality:  As long as the maintenance items specified in the vehicle owner’s manual are performed on schedule the work can be done at any auto-repair shop.  If you’re knowledgeable, you can even do the work yourself.  Just keep accurate records and receipts to back you up in case of a warranty dispute on a future repair.

Hopefully this article from Consumer Reports sheds some light on the reality of car care rather than the myth.

Waiting On Vehicle Service?

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Waiting on Vehicle Service?Why do car owners hesitate to get their vehicles serviced?  A recent report stated that over 80% of the vehicles on the road have one or more services or repair needed, but haven’t taken care of them.  Now that’s a lot of undone service.  That translates into something over 160 million vehicles in the U.S. alone.  Some of the neglected items are minor, others are serious safety concerns.

There are several reasons why Denver drivers hesitate to take care of recommended services – especially services that are recommended by their service adviser when they’re in for another service, like an oil change.

The first issue boils down to comfort with car care.  Some drivers aren’t comfortable with their technicians and don’t feel they know enough to make good decisions.  And if drivers don’t know much themselves about cars, they hesitate to ask questions because they don’t want to seem ignorant.  That’s human nature.  But, there’s only so much we can know, we can’t all be experts in everything, so we specialize.  It’s very important to ask questions of any specialist, whether it’s your doctor, or automotive technician. Your technician values your questions.  He wants you to understand the recommendation and why it needs to be done.

That brings us to the next issue.  Folks say that they don’t always know if they really need the service or if they are just being sold something.  The heart of the issue is trust.  Do you trust your service center and advisor at Express Car Care?  Trust has to be earned and that takes time and experience, but you can shortcut the process when you realize that most of the recommendations are based on vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedules.  In other words, you don’t have to trust me, you can trust your owner’s manual.

Basically, the engineers who designed your vehicle say here’s when you need to have it serviced.  That’s who make the recommendation, not your service adviser, he’s just reminding you.

Drivers do need to trust their technicians experience and judgement from time to time though.  When he inspects your vehicle, he may find problems or concerns.  He will explain things so you can prioritize the concern and make a good decision about whether or not to have something done.

That brings us to the third issue.  Money.  Often the concern is about spending the money to take care of a recommended service.  We all have lists of things we either need, or want to spend our money on, and auto maintenance usually isn’t very high on that list.

When there is a real budget concern, your helpful service adviser can help you prioritize the work that needs to be done and come up with a plan for taking care of it that works with your budget.  There’s no need to keep waiting on your vehicle service.  Come in and see us.

Driving Distracted

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Driving DistractedWhen asked, most people think they are good at multi-tasking.  Scientific studies, however, reveal that only around 2% of the population can truly demonstrate the capacity to effectively multi-task.  For the rest of us who are not so biologically wired, no amount of practice can increase our effectiveness at multi-tasking.  Turns out, multi-tasking is almost a superpower.  Think of fighter pilots:  capable of maintaining their orientation in three dimensional space and performing specific and highly complicated functions,  while accessing life threatening situations and coming up with an appropriate response.  Admit it – you can’t do that.

Yet when it comes to driving, we seem to think we are very capable of safely operating a motor vehicle with a myriad of distractions.  77% of young adults feel somewhat confident that they can safely text and drive, while 55% claim it’s easy to text and drive.  Can they possibly be right?  Let’s look at some statistics.

Nearly 23% of all accidents in the United States involve cell phones.  Every day, 11 people are killed and over 900 are injured in texting-related accidents.  In fact, texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated.  Just think back at your own experiences; how many of your “near misses” as a pedestrian or in a vehicle have involved a driver with a cell phone in their hand?

There are three types of driving distractions:

  • Visual (eyes off the road)
  • Manual (reaching for something or manipulating an object)
  • Cognitive (mind off the task of driving)

Of course, texting or using a cell phone involves all three.  Eating, applying make-up, arguing, and working on-board features like the stereo and navigation system cause distracted driving.  You may find it interesting that hands-free cell calls are not substantially safer than using a handheld phone.  Any time you glance away from the road (like looking at a text or incoming phone call) your eyes are off task for at least 5 seconds.  At 55 miles per hour you will cover the length of a football field in that time.  Would you ever consent to strapping on a blindfold and driving down the road for that distance?

So what do we do?  First, accept the fact that we are not part of the 2% of all the people on the planet who can truly multi-task ( if you’re one of the lucky ones, you would know by now because your performance doesn’t degrade, no matter how many additional tasks are added).  Next, don’t ever drive distracted.  An incoming text will wait for later.  A juicy hamburger, eat it in the parking lot.  No exceptions!  And don’t accept anything less from drivers of vehicles where you are a passenger.

Another way to avoid distractions is to keep on top of schedule maintenance and necessary repairs so that your vehicle itself doesn’t become a distraction.  We can help you with that.  Give us a call.

Can Car Scent Make You Safer?

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Can Car Scent Make You Safer?Here’s an important travel tip from Express Car Care that we bet you didn’t know, and it might just keep you safer.

*  The average American commuter spends two and a half hours daily in their car.  The numbers are similar for Canadian commuters.

*  The U.S. government says a hundred thousand auto accidents yearly are caused by drivers who fall asleep at the wheel.

This is from the Canada Safety Council:  ” According to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, fatigue is a factor in up to 21 percent of motor vehicle collisions, resulting in about 400 deaths and 2,100 serious injuries every year.”

Aggressive driving is the #1 traffic safety concern.  So what does this have to do with how your car smells?  Well, which car scent do you think makes drivers more alert?  Is it:  A. Strawberry  B. New Car  C. Pine  D.  Warm Vanilla Breeze?

It’s C, Pine.  Drivers are more alert and have less fatigue with pine sent in the car, according to AroMetrics.  And drivers were less angry and had an improved overall driving performance with strawberry and pine scents.  And you just thought they smelled nice, didn’t you?  Maybe it’s time you changed out the scent in your car.  Who would ever think  that your chosen car scent can make you safer?  Would you?

Simple Answers About Check Engine Light

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Simple Answers About Check Engine LightQuestion:  My check engine light is on and my boyfriend thinks he can get the code read and know what part to replace to fix my vehicle.  I say, it’s not that simple.  Who’s right?

Express Car Care Answer:  Good news – you are!  Let’s look at it logically:  there are hundreds of things that can go wrong with your vehicle.  Some are simple and some are quite complicated.

Let’s take a step back.  Over 80% of engine functions are computer controlled.  The computer receives information from dozens of sensors.  When a sensor reading is out of range, a trouble code is entered in the computer and the Check Engine Light is illuminated.

It’s a common misconception by drivers that the trouble code will tell you exactly what is wrong, but for any given trouble code there are any number of faults that would trigger that code.  For example, a code indicating a misfire on cylinder three could be due to a bad spark plug, a failed coil, ignition problems, compression issues, and others.  Each of those possibilities requires additional diagnosis to confirm or rule out a cause.  Once a trained service tech with access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and extensive research databases is able to nail down the problem, then he can set about getting it.

A complicated diagnosis may take some time.  Your boyfriend might be tempted to bypass a diagnosis charge by taking a trouble code reading with an inexpensive scan tool and start replacing parts.  He might get lucky…but chances are you’ll end up spending more time and possibly more money, than if you went to a professional with the right equipment.

A final word – a “flashing” Check Engine Light indicates that a condition exists that could lead to serious damage.  You should get your vehicle into a shop right away.  A steadily illuminated Check Engine Light is less urgent so you can get it checked at your convenience.  But keep in mind that a minor issue today can become more serious tomorrow, if left unresolved.  Give us a call and let us help.

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